
Seely Covenhoven was also known as Seely Conover. He was also known as Seeley Conover. Seely Covenhoven was born on 20. Feb. 1841 at Lauren, Jefferson County, New York. He was the son of
David Conover and
Nancy Bauder. Seely Covenhoven began military service on 7. Aug. 1862. He enlisted in Co. B, 115th New York Infantry Regiment Aug. 11, 1862
POW at Harpers Ferry, VA Sep 15 1862
Paroled on Sep 16 1862 at Harpers Ferry, Va
Promoted to full Corporal Oct. 11 1862
POW Aug 16, 1864 Deep Bottom Run, VA
Wounded on Aug 16 1864 Deep Bottom Run, VA
Exchanged on November 25 1864
Returned om March 14 1865. He ended military service on 17. Jun. 1865 at Raleigh, Randolph County, North Carolina; Co. B, 115th New York Infantry Regiment. He married
Sarah Elizabeth Wands Davis, daughter of
Hosea Davis and
Phoebe Wands, on 16. Aug. 1871 at Charleston, Montgomery County, New York. Seely Covenhoven was a book merchant on 25. Jun. 1880.
Seely Covenhoven and
Sarah Elizabeth Wands Davis appeared on the census of 25. Jun. 1880 at Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York.
Seely Covenhoven was a book seller in 1895 at 37 Main Street, Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York.

He died in 1923 at Amsterdam, Montgomery County, New York.

Aug. 4, 1990
Seely Conover's life was a life well spent
A BIT OF REMINISCING,
By GEORGE LAZAROU
It was a writer of the days gone by, Alexandre C. A. Bisson, who said that "our life is like some vast lake that is slowly filling with the stream of our years. As the waters creep surely upward, the landmarks of the past are one by one submerged. But there shall always be memory to lift its head above the tide until the lake is overflowing."
So of this we can be sure: We cannot separate ourselves from our past. And at times, it behooves as to delve into it - even the distant past - in order to catch glimpses of our glorious heritage. For our entire Mohawk Valley is richly imbued with the innovations of our industrial pioneers, the brave and struggling efforts of our early immigrants, the ventures of our striving merchants, the shining dedications of our educators and leaders, as well as the accomplishments of a long procession of athletes and entertainers - all part of our illustrious past.
And stemming from this nostalgic cluster was Seely Conover, who, after serving his country with gallantry during the Civil War, came back to teach school for eight years; worked diligently as a highly respected merchant for more than 40 years; skillfully, guided the educational forces as the county's school commissioner for three years; became a trustee of the Amsterdam Savings Bank; worked conscientiously as a member of the Board of Education for eight years; served first as an alderman, then a supervisor of his ward; served twice as our city's mayor and then became very much involved in fraternal and church affairs. And yet, somehow, he found time to become attuned to the wonders of nature, walk with both the young and the old to point out such things as the fossils in the rocks, the majestic beauty of our trees, the importance of our animals and the alluring aspects of the flowers that abounded along the wayside, much to the delight of all.
Seely was Born at Shuffty's Corners, Town of Leray, Jefferson County, in 1841, and at an early age moved to the Town of Charleston, where he was raised on a busy farm. But it was in this rustic atmosphere that he was to learn the value of hard work and the necessity of disciplining both body and mind, and to learn to appreciate all forms of life.
Attending the Whitestown Seminary and alternating his studies with teaching in the ungraded schools of the county, it was while living in Ames during the summer of 1862 that Seely was to make a decision to take part in the Civil War by enlisting in Company B of the 115th New York Volunteers, known then as the "Iron Hearted Regiment." And it was shortly after his brother Frank was killed in action that Seely was to receive his serious bullet wound, but to survive only because of the toughness of his physique and his strong will to live.
Upon his discharge in 1865, Seely returned to Montgomery County to resume his teaching, marry Sarah Davis in 1871 and win the election to serve as school commissioner for a term of three years, at which time he was highly responsible for Montgomery County being the first in the state to demand definite requirements from its rural teachers and thus pioneer higher standards - to the benefit of the students.
Moving to Amsterdam in 1879, Seely taught for a short time at the Amsterdam Academy and then decided to go into business for himself. He bought a bookstore, which was then located on the north side of East Main Street, near what was then called McClumpha Corner, and for about six months, it was known as the Conover & Kline. At the beginning, it was like a general store, selling not only books and stationery, but musical instruments, wallpaper, paint and bicycles. It was later to become the book headquarters for all the school children.
And when Robert P. Orr became Mr. Conover's partner, the business was known for seven years as Conover & Orr. Then in 1903, John E. MacNeil was to become Seely's partner. making the firm the Seely Conover Company. When MacNeil the firm in 1918, Seely then continued with his son Kenneth. It was finally left to Kenneth, who worked with his son Robert until 1972, and Robert until his retirement in 1986 giving it a family tenure of 107 years.
But while all this was going on, Seely was also politically involved, being elected to serve the 6th Ward as its alderman during 1902-03; supervisor of the same ward during 1906-07 (also serving as chairman of its board during the first year); being elected to serve as mayor during 1910-l1 and again winning the nomination for the Republican party to serve as mayor during the years of 1918
and 1919.
When Seely died in 1923 at the age of 82, Christopher J. Heffernan, who served as Seely's corporate counsel and later became justice of the Supreme Court, wrote as part of his tribute:
" In judging him and his deeds it is necessary that charity should hold the scales. There is no incident in his career which must be concealed or for which one must apologize. He has left behind him the richest legacy that man can bequeath - the memory of unselfish acts, of countless loving deeds, an unsullied name and the record of a life well spent."
His grandson, Robert Conover, submits two pictures, the first a portrait of his grandfather Seely, and the second a picture of the early store.